Family of the Year nods now open

Last year's Family of the Year. Parents Jennifer and Robert Sheibley, with children Katie, Steven, Gregory and Matthew.

Nominations for Madison’s Family of the Year are now open.

The goal of the program is to recognize families in the community that maintain wholesome family values and live their lives in a way to promote the qualities of family life that make the city of Madison a desirable place to live.

In order to qualify, nominations must be submitted by the last day of March.

Any adult may nominate any family that resides in Madison and meets eligibility criteria.

Eligibility criteria require the nominees to be residents of Madison for the entire period of January through December of the previous year.

All family members must be U.S. citizens or legal aliens.

Elected officials of the city of Madison or members of the Family of the Year Selection Committee are not eligible and cannot nominate families.

Spouses must be legally married as recognized by Alabama law.

A single parent must be a widow or widower, or legally divorced or separated as recognized by Alabama law.

No family member may be the subject of any criminal indictment or be delinquent in compliance with any outstanding civil action.

The family selected should be able to fulfill their obligations to the city for the coming year.

Nominations are taken online via the city’s website.